5.x Effect on GPS?

[CoMoNexus]

I've been using a fitness-tracking app on my N4 since I got it in February 2013. Lately it's reporting big variations in distance when I walk the same route. I realize that these apps are only so accurate, but I never had variations of several hundred to 1,000-plus feet. The variations seem to have started around the time I upgraded from KitKat, and I'm wondering if the OS is undermining GPS accuracy. Is anyone else noticing this?

 

[Rukbat]

GPS works by measuring tiny time differences in the arrival times of signals from satellites. You can't "mess that up" - if the formula is wrong, all measurements will be off.

Install GPS Status & Toolbox and see what your GPS receiver is doing. If the DOP (dilution of precision or, roughly, accuracy) is high, the accuracy is going to be low, but that can come from weather conditions (signals change speed depending on the density of the air they pass through - the sped of light is absolute for that medium), being under leaf cover constantly (GPS doesn't work well in jungles), etc.

 

[CoMoNexus]

GPS works by measuring tiny time differences in the arrival times of signals from satellites. You can't "mess that up" - if the formula is wrong, all measurements will be off.

Install GPS Status & Toolbox and see what your GPS receiver is doing. If the DOP (dilution of precision or, roughly, accuracy) is high, the accuracy is going to be low, but that can come from weather conditions (signals change speed depending on the density of the air they pass through - the sped of light is absolute for that medium), being under leaf cover constantly (GPS doesn't work well in jungles), etc.

Another factor is how often the app uses the GPS. Based on what I've read, the one I've used for years samples much less frequently -- about every 7 seconds -- than other fitness apps, no doubt to save battery life. I'm fine with that because I use it for walking rather than biking or running, where obviously I'd cover more ground between samples.

I'll try the app you mentioned.